Often overlooked due to its neighbor Naperville, Aurorais home to about200,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But it was a wealthy benefactor named Luther Bartlett who brought the railroad in and made modern day Bartlett what it is. For high school they offer soccer, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, esports; middle school volleyball, basketball and wrestling. 2 hours 45 minutes from Chicago. Theyve got phenomenal hand-crafted pottery, leather goods, handmade jewellery, fine art, antiques, and more. Fashionistas, renowned designer shops and boutiques await you. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools. Former Resident: Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Also the school district is really good, most/if not all of the students attend Stevenson High school, an amazing school full of great opportunities! A post shared by Downtown Evanston (@downtownevanston). The area surrounding Chicago ishome to a number of suburbswith their own urban feel and lively downtowns. We are both active people so nice trails and fitness facilities nearby is key. To enjoy the great outdoors, you can always take a stroll through the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. And while the population is stable, its downtown center is seeing more activity than ever. Spend the day walking about town and soaking up the relaxation. As the world starts to open up post-pandemic, chances are youre starting small: small gatherings with friends, limited seating in restaurants, and even short trips closer to homewhich is why a weekend getaway to a quaint small town is the perfect way to ease back into traveling. That's because we know how much of a selling point a vibrant downtown area can be for homeowners. 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 15 Best Things to Do in Middleborough (MA). Free outdoor concerts, summer vintage car shows, and the Wine and Cultural Arts Festival, make Wheaton a small town cultural mecca. The civic pride is on full display during the Prairie Path Clean-up, when the entire town gathers to take care of a 61-mile stretch of highway through town. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. Outstanding administration, faculty & staff. And because Downtown San Rafael is pretty centrally located, it's easy to get to on foot or via the public transit system. Pro Tip: Here are eight other things to do in Mitchell. Mount Carroll, Illinois, was incorporated as a town in 1855 and then as a city in 1867, but with a population of under 1,600, it has maintained a small-town feel. Only 30 miles east of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is the perfect place for a quiet getaway. If youre a fan of American movies, you might recognize Woodstock from movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles as well as Groundhog Day. Every year for Labor Day weekend, Buffalo. Current Resident: I have lived in Western Springs since I was about 1 year old. One thing I would. Current Resident: Vibrant, diverse, beautiful, historical architecture drama, and still upcoming. Loyola University Chicago - Chicago, Ill. People look out for each other and come together whenever tragedy strikes one of their neighbors. railsr4me/Flickr. Read 10 reviews. The area is. Former Resident: There is a nice sense of community in Glencoe. The food is fantastic, the neighborhood is friendly,Only gripe here is that houses are way too overpriced.. Current Resident: Libertyville is a great place to start a family as it has a great school system, good people, and a nice downtown area. The Paramount Theatre is a local favorite for live music, and it regularly hosts free community events. DuPage is one of Illinois' healthiest spots, according to an annual survey. William Clarkhalf of the famous explorer duo Lewis and Clarkfounded this town in 1827. City in Illinois,. Our kids simply love going to school at CJDS, which is an exhilirating to witness as a parent. Proud of its traditions and community covenant, the atmosphere here isnt like your typical college town. Downers Groves natural areas like Lyman Woods and Belmont Prairie offer walking paths, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has a system of more than 145 miles of trails. Located just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Evanstonsits along the shores of Lake Michigan, and it's home to Northwestern University. It was manufactured in the Netherlands and then shipped to Fulton in 2000. Includes average property values, inventory, market changes, and demographic data. The neighborhood is calm and silent. Downtown Aurora overlooks the Fox River, and it's the last Metra stop on the BNSF line. The railway has shaped the town and you can see the influence today. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. The historical preservation around Princeton doesnt stop there: In addition to a classic, old-timey main street, the town is also home to the Lovejoy Homestead, a stop on the Underground Railroad that will reopen for tours after the pandemic is officially over. Each August there is a Civil War re-enactment during Heritage Days. Looking to start a family very soon as well so would like to find a suburb that is a good mix of young families, growing, and a nice downtown area. Also,the extensive Metra train lines can help suburban homeowners get in and out of the city without developing a bad case of road rage. Streeterville. Overall a little bike ride to a friends house isnt that bad and the area is very safe. Read 16 reviews. Not much bad to say about this town. Read 116 reviews. Shaped by the rolling praires that surround it, Galesburg is a step back in time. PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. There are gift shops, boutiques, specialized stores, and traditional offerings. Galena also has sprawling golf courses, luxurious spas, and some of the best skiing in all of the state. The neighborhood is calm and silent. Downtown Oak Park, Illinois. Current Resident: I have lived here my entire life, and I love how there have always been fun activities to do throughout the year provided by the village of Buffalo Grove. There are many parks and nature trails that follow the Fox River. We've lived around the world, and I feel so fortunate to live here. While Joseph Smith and other prominent founding members havent called the city home since the late 1840s, its still easy to take a trip to the past with help from an array of historical reenactors, who show off blacksmithing techniques and brick-making (you can take one home as a souvenir). Yes, the entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic places, and that hasnt changed (try exploring it on a self-guided walking tour), but there are plenty of interesting places to swerve, too. Capri of Downer's Grove is one of the most famous in the area. Santa Cruz. Always willing to help and encourage. Each May, the town hosts "Dutch Days," a festival celebrating its Dutch heritage. Free shipping for many products! Read on to learn our picks for the top10 best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns. Just about 3,500 people call Galena home and they know first-hand that there is plenty to do. As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. Chester is a true Illinois small town and thus there are a not a ton of accommodation options here, but you can find comfort at the Best Western Chester. Free Admission. From one of America's best diners, to authentic wood-fired fig pizza and incredible candies, Goshen is a foodie's dream! Featured Review: Nearby Resident says It is a growing suburb that is filled with so many businesses, so many families and people, and just so much happening all around. This is small town at its best. Had your fill on murals and snacks? 676 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. It's one of the most impressive artificial beaches in the United States. Morris has a decent amount of offerings in its downtown, with plenty of places to get a really good dinner and some great shops. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. 11:00 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. Search. It is directly next to Lake Michigan making it the perfect place for the summer. The schools are top-notch, too. Naperville is diverse and has outdoor dining and more affordable dining options as well. Local artists have made murals around town as part of a restoration project. One can sometimes forget that they're in the city, and then look up and find themselves mesmerized by the architecture. While the community may be best known as the home of Wayne and Garth from "Wayne's World," Aurora boasts an impressive arts and culture scene. . Its history is steeped in intellectualism.. Current Resident: Oak Park is a wonderful neighborhood! Read 10 reviews. Its a wonderful town. Out of all the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns, Geneva has the best riverfront. It's home to award-winning theatres, the newest outdoor concert venue, and some fantastic shopping. However its a small town, so I wouldnt say the area is for everyone, and Ive always loved the big cities. Read 16 reviews. Featured Review: Current Resident says This is a fantastic place to relocate if you want to move a little closer to Chicago. HSA Southwest basketball teams is raked up in last 2 years with experience coaches. Most people of color in Vernon Hills live in townhomes or apartments which is another thing I would like to see improve. And because of its location, it has remained a small town, been able to maintain most of its historic charm, and become known as an amazing place to observe the American Bald Eagle. Being literally in the shores of Lake Michigan is fantastic. The center features the Reddick Mansion - an Italianate home that is one of the largest ones built in the Midwest in the mid-1800s. Even with its density, there's still a sense of community in Printers Row. If that's a question you've been asking yourself, then you're in the right place. If you want a little more history, be sure to visit the American Farm Heritage Museum and Hills Fort, aimed at preserving agricultural history. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. In the warmer months, enjoy your theater experience . There's an outstanding balance of locally-owned stores, high-end boutiques, and traditional offerings. Another site to see in town? Its not very diverse, however. The information on this page is aggregated from third-party sources and presented as-is for your convenience. Topping of the list of fabulous attractions are top notch outdoor activities, great wineries, and agri-tourism. There are not many facilities to attend, however, everything should be good for the family people. Popular offerings include Pazzi Di Pizza, a fantastic Italian restaurant, and Stray Hen Cafe, famous for breakfast. There are not many facilities to attend, however, everything should be good for the family people. As kids and teens, we rode our bikes all over, and there are stop signs on every corner so kids can safely walk everywhere. My experience here. Works Here: Love my school! Calling all history buffs: Nauvoo, IL is a small town with a big impact on the history of Mormonism. David Wilson/Flickr. Former Resident: A beautiful 1 square mile town in the suburbs of Chicago on Lake Michigan, this town is almost all white and Christian. Wilmette was hailed by Business Week as the 7th best place to raise a . You're within a 30 minute drive from literally everything! Some of the best-ranked public schools in America with an enviable ranking of 9/10; one of the state's lowest unemployment rates (5.40 per cent); sixth . GreatSchoolsRatings provided byGreatSchools.org, Copyright 2023 Neighborhoods.com All Rights Reserved, 5 Chicago Suburbs With the Best Downtowns, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, CHECK OUT MORE FROM OUR '7 DAYS OF SUBURBS' WEEK. TRAVEL The 10 Most Beautiful Counties In Wisconsin, USA. You get quick answers from the Village when you call and the streets are always in great shape when there is a snow storm. 1. As beautiful as the large city of Chicago is the smaller towns that share the best of what rural Illinois has to offer. Downtown of Galena, Illinois . 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